Table 1.
Summary of randomized clinical studies of medicinal plants or related natural product in fibromyalgia.
| Reference/year | Plant/route | Sample size | Duration of study | Outcome measured | Clinical assessment instrument | Findings of the study | Adverse effects | Jadad score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casanueva et al., 2012 [15] | Capsaicin/topical | 108 | 12 weeks | Pain Fatigue Anxiety Depression |
VAS BPI MPQ FIQ FSS |
Significant improvement in pain, depression, fatigue | Transient burning and pricking | 5 |
|
| ||||||||
| Ko et al., 2007 [16] | Oil 24/topical | 133 | one month | Pain Subjective surveys of pain Measurements of tender point |
VAS FIQ FDK 10 TePs |
Significant improvement in surveys of pain and in measures of tender point | Skin irritation | 4 |
|
| ||||||||
| Lister, 2002 [17] | Coenzyme Q10 and Ginkgo biloba/oral |
23 | 12 weeks | Quality of life | SF-36 | Significant improvement in quality of life | Little or no clinical significance | 1 |
|
| ||||||||
| Lukaczer et al., 2005 [18] | Meta050/oral | 54 | 8 weeks | Pain Quality of life Physical function |
VAS FIQ SF-36 PCS MCS |
Significant improvement in pain | No evidence suggested | 1 |
|
| ||||||||
| McCarty et al., 1994 [19] | Due capsaicin/topical | 45 | 4 weeks | Pain Tenderness Stiffness |
FIQ VAS TePs |
Significant improvement in pain, tenderness, and stiffness | Moderate transient stinging or burning | 3 |
|
| ||||||||
| Rutledge and Jones, 2007 [20] | Oil 24/topical | 43 | 12 weeks | Pain Physical performance Exercise volume Physical function |
BPI GSI BMI HGS FDK |
Significant improvement in physical function | No evidence suggested | 4 |
|
| ||||||||
| Skrabek et al., 2008 [21] | Nabilone/oral | 40 | 4 weeks | Pain Anxiety |
VAS FIQ |
Significant improvement in pain and anxiety | No evidence suggested | 5 |
|
| ||||||||
| Ware et al., 2010 [22] | Nabilone/oral | 29 | 10 weeks | Sleep disruption Pain Quality of life Mood |
ISI LSEQ MPQ SF-36 FIQ HADs-D |
Significant improvement in quality of sleep | Dizziness subjects, nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation Insomnia |
4 |
BMI: Body Mass Index. BPI: Brief Pain Inventory. FIQ: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Force Dial FDK 40: Standard Pressure Algometry. FSS: Fatigue Severity Scale. GSI: Global Severe Index. HADs-D: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. HGS: Handgrip Strength. ISI: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); LSEQ: The Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire. MCS: Mental Function Score. MPQ: The McGill Pain Questionnaire. PCS: Physical Function Score. SF-36: Quality of Life-Short-Form 36; TePs: Pressure Algometry Measurements of Tender Point. VAS: Visual Analog Scale. VASs: Visual Analogue Scale.